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Where Fashion Meets Movement: A Century of Graham, Adorned by Kallmeyer

A Dream Realized: From Student to Costume Creator on Graham's Stage

Years after attending a summer dance intensive at the prestigious Martha Graham School in New York, Daniella Kallmeyer found herself returning to the very stage that once nurtured her artistic aspirations. This time, however, she wasn't there as a student but as a designer, tasked with transforming her exquisite creations into dynamic costumes for the Martha Graham Dance Company's monumental 100th Anniversary Gala. This serendipitous full-circle moment saw two of her custom designs brought to life by dancers Xin Ying and Lloyd Knight, who performed a captivating excerpt from O Thou Desire Who Art About to Sing at the illustrious New York Public Library.

The Roma Gown Reimagined: Blending Fashion with Dance

For dancer Xin Ying, Kallmeyer adapted her flowing burgundy Roma gown, a highlight from her pre-fall 2026 collection, into a stunning and functional costume. The original gown, known for its integrated support and graceful one-shouldered drape, was seamlessly converted into a leotard, yet it retained its inherent sense of fluidity and movement. This adaptation not only showcased Kallmeyer's design versatility but also deepened the personal connection she felt to the project.

Graham's Enduring Influence: A Designer's Inspiration

Kallmeyer revealed that the inspiration for her pre-fall collection had already been rooted in Martha Graham's iconic style, long before this collaboration materialized. Graham was renowned for her performances in voluminous, fabric-rich dresses, often integrating the garments themselves into the choreography. This profound influence resonates with Kallmeyer's own design philosophy, where she consistently considers the interplay between the human form and the clothing, drawing many of her aesthetic proportions from the world of dance.

Harmonizing Elegance: Knight's Attire and Graham's Palette

Lloyd Knight's costume, featuring a coordinating burgundy cummerbund, served as a perfect counterpoint to Ying's ethereal ensemble, highlighting his impressive physique and silhouette. Kallmeyer emphasized her desire to accentuate Knight's form, noting the deep alignment of the chosen color and high-waisted silhouette with Graham's own artistic preferences, which frequently featured red, white, and black in her performance costumes.

A Lifelong Passion Fulfilled: The Synergy of Costume and Dance

For Kallmeyer, the opportunity to design for such a significant keynote performance represented the culmination of her diverse interests and lifelong passions. She recounted her early experiences with theater and dance, recalling how the profound connection between costume and movement first captivated her. She specifically cited a live performance of Graham's Lamentation and a Philip Glass Ballet she witnessed at the American Ballet Theatre as pivotal moments where the unforgettable costumes deeply moved her, reinforcing her belief in the transformative power of attire in dance.

In the vibrant heart of SoHo, chefs Jess Shadbolt and Annie Shi have unveiled their latest culinary venture, Dean's. This new pub, nestled beside their acclaimed restaurant King, promises a dining experience that marries sophisticated cuisine with a relaxed, convivial atmosphere. Building on their reputation for innovative, seasonal menus and expertly curated wine lists, Shadbolt and Shi have once again redefined upscale dining, this time with a nod to the charming simplicity of British coastal pubs. Dean's is designed to be a place where guests can unwind, enjoy delectable food and drinks, and savor the company of others, making every visit a memorable occasion.

Dean's: A Harmonious Blend of Culinary Craft and Thoughtful Design in SoHo

In 2016, the culinary world took notice when chef Jess Shadbolt and beverage director Annie Shi introduced King, a downtown establishment that revolutionized fine dining with its ever-changing, seasonal menu and an impressive collection of rare wines. Nearly a decade later, their knack for crafting effortlessly enjoyable dining experiences continues to draw New Yorkers to the same historic street corner. Their latest endeavor, Dean's, a cozy new pub situated adjacent to King in SoHo, carries this tradition forward with a fresh, inviting approach.

During one of the city's last chilly evenings, Dean's, despite being open for only eight nights, was bustling. All 38 seats were occupied, with patrons gathered around candlelit tables and a lively crowd at the mahogany and pine bar. While the pub's unique Stargazy Pie—a Cornish seafood pastry featuring potatoes, butter, and a baked mackerel head—had already garnered attention on social media, the evening's diners were more engrossed in engaging conversations and old-fashioned flirtation than their phones.

Shadbolt and Shi excel at curating a menu and wine list that encourages indulgence. Their offerings, such as the Artelium Curator's Cuvée from Sussex, a sparkling blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, pair perfectly with dishes like bacon and malt vinegar scallops or lemon and elderflower posset. Yet, creating an atmosphere so captivating that guests lose track of time required a special touch. For this, they enlisted the expertise of acclaimed interior designer Billy Cotton.

Cotton's studio, known for its work on last year's trendy Bridges restaurant, recommended 26-year-old Jason Chen, who was instrumental in Bridges' initial concept design and has since launched his own studio. Chen drew inspiration for Dean's from the coastal pubs of Shadbolt's hometown, Suffolk, England. He describes these establishments as having a 'stripped-back clarity, but also an elegance,' a sensibility he meticulously integrated into Dean's design.

Chen's design incorporates mahogany butcher-block counters, wainscoting, and walls paneled with Douglas fir and pine, all complemented by candlelit stainless steel accents. Vintage finds further enrich the space, imbuing it with a transportive charm that makes hours dissolve. Behind the bar, a gracefully curved glass curio cabinet, once a china hutch, now beautifully displays pewter mugs, aperitivos, and a selection of American and Scotch whiskies. An oversized coal scuttle, discovered by Chen in Washington, D.C., might hold chilled wine bottles or vibrant arrangements of orange ranunculus and green hydrangeas. Even the dining room service station, an Edwardian washing basin, has been artfully adapted, its legs extended to better suit the flow of nightly service.

Chen notes that these design elements strike a perfect balance, feeling natural alongside the thoughtfully prepared, clear, and beautiful food. For Shadbolt and Shi, this beauty and clarity are also reflected in their evolving lives as friends, restaurateurs, and mothers. Following the success of King, they collaborated with Clare de Boer to open Jupiter, a seasonal Italian restaurant in Rockefeller Center, in 2022. More recently, Shi's solo venture, Lei, a Chinatown wine bar, has earned Michelin Guide accolades and a nomination for the James Beard Foundation’s 2026 Best New Restaurant award. Shi joyfully remarked during Dean's opening week, "We have babies of all kinds to celebrate."

Shadbolt, who welcomed her first child while working on Dean's, acknowledges the shift in their lives. She reflects, "Things are different. When we opened King 10 years ago as a full concept dining experience, that was a moment where we could be in the kitchen all day and all night. It is a very difficult duality to be a woman in a kitchen or in a restaurant where bedtime happens at a time when the curtain comes up [on service]." Shi adds that the concept of Dean's—a place where one can spontaneously drop in, put their name down, grab a drink elsewhere, and return—is particularly appealing in this current stage of their lives. Whether from the kitchen or the dining room, those who experience Dean's seem to concur, as Shadbolt concludes, "As a chef, you want to create a world that you want to exist in, and that’s very true of our other restaurants. Dean’s is another extension of that."

This narrative vividly illustrates the entrepreneurial spirit and evolving aspirations of these accomplished restaurateurs. It highlights the delicate balance between professional ambition and personal life, particularly for women in demanding industries like hospitality. The meticulous attention to detail in Dean's design and menu reflects a deep understanding of customer experience, emphasizing comfort, connection, and culinary excellence. It’s a testament to creating spaces that not only serve exceptional food and drink but also foster genuine human interaction and lasting memories, adapting to the changing needs and lifestyles of both the creators and their patrons.